Friday 28 December 2018

WECONEX WINS THE THIRD PLACE IN THE 'INTERNET PLUS TRANSPORTATION' INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITION

GUANGZHOU, China, Dec 27 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Weconex, a leading transportation system solution provider, is pleased to announce that it has won the third place in the national finals for the 4th Xiaoguwei ‘Internet Plus Transportation’ Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition, held on December 21st in Guangzhou.

The Xiaoguwei Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition was organized by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Transport, China Transport News, the People's government of Panyu District and Guangdong Provincial Transportation Group Co., Ltd. This year’s theme was ‘Innovation and Integration—Accelerating the Development of High-quality Transportation Services’, topics ranging from smart transportation, big data, artificial intelligence (AI) to Internet of Vehicles (IoV) and Internet of Things (IoT). Over the past three months, the 34 national finalists were selected from 1500 enterprises in China. By virtue of its revolutionary business idea and technological innovation, Weconex’s flagship product DeerTrip™ one-stop cross-border travel solution has been acknowledged by the panel and industry experts. The award has once again demonstrated Weconex's strength and determination to become an industry leader.
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=33525

Wednesday 26 December 2018

BRANDSAFWAY ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF CABRILLO HOIST

Kennesaw, Georgia, USA, Dec 21 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a move to strengthen its motorized access capabilities on the West Coast, BrandSafway and SafwayAtlantic, a BrandSafway company, are pleased to announce the acquisition of Cabrillo Hoist, a leading provider of construction hoists and elevators in the region, effective December 20, 2018. With more than 20 years of experience and locations in Fontana and San Leandro, California and Stanwood, Washington, Cabrillo Hoist provides complete rental, erection, operation and maintenance services for personnel and material hoists in the greater Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, California and Seattle, Washington areas.

“With their outstanding capabilities in delivering high-performing motorized solutions, Cabrillo Hoist is a perfect fit for BrandSafway,” said Art Eunson, president of Commercial and Industrial at BrandSafway. “Cabrillo has a portfolio of high-profile west-coast projects including Apple, Facebook and Uber and a roster of customers like Tutor Perini, Devcon Construction, and Hensel Phelps.”

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=33502

New CFO for Sarment Intelligent Services


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 (Bernama) – Sarment Intelligent Services has appointed Jonathan Chou as its chief financial officer (CFO).
Based out of New York, he will report directly to Sarment’s chief executive officer, Quentin Chiarugi and the board of directors.
From January 2019, Chou will be responsible for the alignment and prioritisation of company investments across all its business units – Sarment distribution, KEYYES digital luxury marketplace and SAIS technologies.
Chou brings over 25 years of professional experience from various senior finance leadership positions with Fortune 500 companies as well as Asia-headquartered US listed companies. 
Prior to this appointment, Chou was the CFO of Kulicke & Soffa, a $2 billion market capitalisation company, from 2010 to 2018. 
Chiarugi said Chou would provide direction and experience on the company’s financial strategies. “His industry experience makes him uniquely poised for success in building our investor relations and partnership compliance, especially as we expand our operations globally,” he added.
Chou currently serves on the board of directors of MicroPort Scientific, a Hong Kong Stock Exchange-listed global medical device company headquartered in Shanghai, China. He is also chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee.

-- BERNAMA

Gamania Cheer Up Foundation starts Expedition in Antarctica


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- Gamania Cheer Up Foundation has launched ‘An Expedition In Antarctica’ after the completion of the inspiring ‘Polar Challenge’ 10 years ago, to encourage young people to have big dreams.
The first expedition team to Antarctica in Taiwan’s history aims to reach the South Pole via cross-country skiing under an extreme environment of 50 degrees Celsius to below zero with a wind speed of 50 kilometres (km) per hour, paying tribute to the spirit of adventure.
But, in view of various factors such as food supply and weather, they had decided to compress the total number of days of the march to 20 days and abandoned the original 660 km ‘Coast to Pole Route’.
Instead, they switched to the shorter but more challenging ‘Antarctic Plateau Route’, which is about 350 km.
Since the official challenge began on Dec 6, 250 km were covered after 15 days. The team has crossed the 89 degrees south of the equator mark and entering the last 100 km.
The team is led by the foundation’s founder, Albert Liu where ultra-marathon runner, Tommy Chen and famous actor Chris Wang serve as coach and mentor.
The international and interdisciplinary team includes 20-year-old Big Dream Youth Sherry Lin and Gary Wu, while director of the documentary film “Beyond the Arctic” 10 years ago, Yang Li-chou also participates to document the feat in full.
-- BERNAMA

Monday 24 December 2018

SEOUL GLOBAL STARTUP CENTER MEMBERS, CID AUTO AND MOMENTOUS, GO GLOBAL

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec 24 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Member companies of Seoul Global Startup Center are expanding their businesses globally.

Seoul Global Startup Center (Seoul GSC) helps foreign residents in Korea start businesses in Seoul by offering working space, step-by-step consulting and mentoring services.

CID AUTO, a Seoul GSC member, participated in Innovation Factory in Jakarta from September to November, and gained a foothold to discuss setting up a joint venture with IndoMobil, an automotive business affiliate of Salim Group in Indonesia.

Innovation Factory is a community-driven initiative to sponsor the launch of overseas businesses by startup companies, including those selected by the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development as participants in its Global Acceleration Program.

CID AUTO has been discussing the establishment of a joint venture with IndoMobil for its Shuka TV service, a video commerce platform for used cars. CID AUTO also plans to launch a car wash business in Indonesia early next year through partnership with local businesses.

“We were able to research the Indonesian automotive market closely through the program. It was a good chance to find local business partners,” Min Ho-kee, CEO of CID AUTO, said.

Another Seoul GSC member, Momentous is in talks with Korean and U.S. companies over to conclude contracts to provide its mindfulness social networking service, ‘Just Thank You,’ after participating in Silicon Valley Accelerating Program in the autumn of 2018.

Just Thank You is a mindfulness social networking service to track and share happiness and also a platform to support workers’ mental wellness and foster a positive corporate culture. Just Thank You's fun and easy Recognition & Incentive program will help companies to establish a positive organizational culture.

Momentous tweaked the direction of its B2B solution through Silicon Valley Accelerating Program before launching the service, and four months after the launch, it signed contracts with Korean companies.

“The accelerating program was a good chance to check the marketability and customer's reception of Just Thank You. We're excited to launch a new version of B2B solution in January 2019,” Steven Cho, CEO of Momentous, said.

The B2C version of Just Thank You is available as well. You can download it from Apple App Store and Google Play. It will be featured in the App Store on Jan. 1, 2019.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181223005002/en/

Contact

For Seoul Global Startup Center
MOTHERNEST
Mihyung Lee, +82-70-4866-4332
mihyunglee@mnest.co.kr

Source : Seoul Global Startup Center

1 YEAR MARKS THE SUCCESS OF SAJA ALMADINAH HOTEL

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Dec 24 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Saja Hotels & Resorts, the leading Saudi hotel and condominium management and operation company, has recently celebrated the first anniversary of its Saja AlMadinah Hotel in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, marking a successful year of astounding services provided to visitors to the holy city of Madinah.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181223005008/en/ 

Strategically located in the Northern side of the central area of Madinah, the four-star hotel is just steps away from the Prophet's (PBUH) Mosque in the city.

Mr. Mohannad Bin Nabeel Khogeer, Chief Executive Officer of Saja Company commented, “We are extremely proud to celebrate the first anniversary of Saja AlMadinah Hotel, the renowned national brand in Saudi Arabia. The past year demonstrated our success in providing visitors to Madinah with the best convenient accommodation in the city, making their Hajj and Umrah trips an unforgettable experience.”

“Our long-standing experience in hospitality that exceeds 40 years was a game changer in creating our success during the first year of operations. We have set future expansion plans that include managing and operating other hotels in different cities and utilize our expertise in providing management services for hotels for further plans. Our efforts in this regard are in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 that aims to increase the number of pilgrims and Umrah visitors,” he added.

With its 544 rooms, an executive floor, relaxing lounge, gym and a dedicated (HACCP) certified restaurant serving delicious international cuisine options; Saja AlMadinah Hotel was able during the past year to welcome more than 350,000 Guests, achieve a record number of more than 110,000 room bookings, serve around 120,000 meals, and receive guests from over 80 nationalities.

Notably, Saja AlMadinah Hotel provides high-quality integrated hospitality services to assist visitors perform their religious rituals in the holy city with ease and comfort. It also provides them with the convenience of being close to the Prophet's (PBUH) Mosque in Madinah, in a hotel that enjoys a unique blend of luxurious economy and authenticity, which stands out among other four-star hotels. Saja AlMadinah’s professional multi-lingual and highly trained team helps break down the language barrier and meet the needs of visitors from around the world with high quality services.

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181223005008/en/

Contact

Saja Hotels & Resorts
Ahmed Elfallah, Director of Sales, +966534873966
ahmed.elfallah@sajahotels.comwww.sajahotels.com

Source : Saja Hotels & Resorts

THE RESEARCHERS OF DAKILA RESEARCH WERE AWARDED AFTER SCIENTIFIC STUDIES ON THE EARTH'S SHAPE

SAO PAULO, Brazil, Dec 24 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brazilian association Dakila Research, represented by its president Urandir Fernandes de Oliveira, received in October a congratulatory motion of the Legislative Assembly of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) in recognition of the importance of the scientific studies conducted in different areas of knowledge such as mathematics, physics, quantum physics, astronomy and geography. Among the researches, recent discoveries on the shape of the earth are highlighted, emphasizing that it is not spherical but rather flat in the waters and convex on the continents

For the same reasons, DAKILA researchers received, in June, from the Brazilian International Association of Peace Forces (UN), in the Municipality of San Paulo (SP), the Medal of Merit of the Chief Carlos Macedo Adalberto Isola "Heroes of the Six Days War".

According to Urandir Fernandes de Oliveira, the commendations received represent a victory not only of the researchers and scientists who participated in the experiments, but of all humanity. "The purpose of our study was to investigate the inconsistencies presented by science in relation to the shape of the Earth and the results reversed the thesis that it is spherical," says Oliveira.

Dakila Research has distinguished itself all over the world after the release of the feature film Convex Earth: The Documentary, available on convexearth.org in 13 languages. The documentary presents studies that demonstrate the convexity of the Earth. Studies that have been done for more than seven years in different parts of the world, and were assisted by government institutions and professionals from various segments of Brazil and other countries as well, such as astronomers, cartographers, geologists, surveyors and civil engineers.

Using state-of-the-art equipment, seven scientific experiments were conducted: geodesic, which consists of measuring two buildings at great distances, both based at sea level; a laser experiment to verify the flatness of the waters; water leveling; optical distortions linked to reflective processes; experiment in a boat on the horizon; gravity experiments and of celestial bodies.

Currently, Dakila researchers are studying the inconsistencies presented by science regarding the Sun and the Moon.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ffd77713-6ad5-45c0-b51b-3e6f951a1821

Camila Cortez (camila@supremaintegrada.com.br)

SOURCE : Associação Dakila Pesquisas

Sunday 23 December 2018

Sharing through Stories to exceed News Feed by 2019 - Facebook

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- Facebook Stories sharing will exceed News Feed sharing by 2019 as estimated by Facebook, showing a material shift in audience dynamics that may impact brands’ campaign strategies.

According to an Ipsos survey commissioned by Facebook, more than 300 million people use Facebook Stories and Messenger Stories each day and 68 per cent use Stories on at least three apps regularly, a statement said.

This situation has extended the partnership of DoubleVerify (DV) with Facebook by providing global advertisers with objective, third-party measurement of viewability and fraud or SIVT across Facebook Stories video ad inventory.

Facebook Stories video campaign measurement is seamlessly integrated within DV Pinnacle® -- DoubleVerify’s exclusive service and performance platform.

Through the platform, clients can analyse their Stories campaigns via side by side comparison with all other ad placement types that Facebook supports or compare Facebook Stories campaign performance with that of other media buys.

“Our expansion into Facebook Stories deepens the levels of transparency and protection we can offer our global advertiser clients,” said Chief Operating Officer (COO) at DoubleVerify, Matt McLaughlin.

“As one of the first partners to offer measurement and reporting for this growing Facebook channel, DV is staying at the forefront of emerging media types, giving brands clarity and confidence in their digital investment across all platforms, channels and formats,” he added.

DoubleVerify is the provider of fraud and viewability measurement of display and video ads for Facebook since 2017. It is also an independent provider of marketing measurement software, data and analytics. More details on www.doubleverify.com.

-- BERNAMA

Friday 21 December 2018

HENRY SCHEIN AND VETS FIRST CHOICE ANNOUNCE NEW NAME OF THE PLANNED NEW COMPANY: COVETRUS

New Executive Leadership Team Announced For Covetrus To Advance the World of Veterinary Medicine


MELVILLE, N.Y. & PORTLAND, Maine, Dec 21 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) and Vets First Choice today announced that the new standalone public company that will result from the planned spin-off of the Henry Schein Animal Health business and the subsequent merger with Vets First Choice will be named Covetrus.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181220005954/en/

The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2019.

The new company, Covetrus, will be a global, technology-enabled animal health business supporting the companion, equine and large-animal veterinary markets. Covetrus will combine leading practice management software, prescription management, multi-channel client engagement services, and supply chain infrastructure to promote connectivity between veterinarians and their clients.

Covetrus will employ more than 5,000 team members across approximately 25 countries, delivering integrated solutions to help veterinary practices to improve the economics and workflow of their businesses and enhance the client experience. The business will have approximately 100,000 customers across major geographic regions, including North America, Europe, Australasia and South America.

Covetrus reflects the company’s deep partnership with the veterinary community and its efforts to “Advance the World of Veterinary Medicine.” “Co-” highlights working together as partners, anchored by “vet” at the center of what the company will do, and “-us” reinforces the notion of a team of professionals who will serve as an extension of the veterinary practice.

“It was important to create a new brand and new name that demonstrates our long-term commitment for veterinary practice customers to always be at the center of our business. We are committed ‘To Advancing the World of Veterinary Medicine’ by empowering our customers with compelling new capabilities and services to drive new health and financial outcomes to ensure their continued success,” said Benjamin Shaw, Founder and CEO of Vets First Choice. “Covetrus reflects the excitement around our unique capabilities and differentiated value proposition that this combined entity will deliver to veterinary customers across the globe.”

The two companies also announced today the proposed executive leadership team of Covetrus.

As previously announced, Benjamin Shaw will become CEO of the combined company and serve as a member of the Board of Directors. The executive leadership team of Covetrus will include:
  • Christine T. Komola, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  • Erin Powers Brennan, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
  • Russell Cooke, Senior Vice President and Operational Chief Financial Officer
  • Francis X. Dirksmeier, Senior Vice President and President, North America
  • David Christopher Dollar, Senior Vice President and President, Software and Services
  • Michael Ellis, Senior Vice President and President, Europe
  • David Hinton, Senior Vice President and President, APAC and Emerging Markets
  • Timothy Ludlow, Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer
  • Anthony Providenti, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
  • Georgina Wraight, Senior Vice President and President, Vets First Choice
  • James Young, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
“This is an impressive and talented leadership team, and we are honored to lead this soon-to-be new independent organization,” said Shaw. “This executive team will ensure strong continuity of leadership across all lines of business and geography and includes new talent to facilitate a smooth transition into an independent public company. Importantly, our team is committed to meeting and exceeding the expectations of our customers.”

Henry Schein Animal Health and Vets First Choice will continue to operate as two independent, separate organizations prior to the closing of the transaction.

Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, Covetrus plans to file relevant materials with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including a registration statement on Form S-1/S-4 containing a prospectus. Investors and security holders are urged to carefully read the registration statement/prospectus (including any amendments or supplements thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein) and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available, because they will contain important information about the parties and the proposed transaction. The registration statement/prospectus and other relevant documents that are filed with the SEC can be obtained free of charge (when available) from the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. These documents can (when available) also be obtained free of charge from Henry Schein, Inc. upon written request to Carolynne Borders at Henry Schein, Inc., 135 Duryea Road, Melville, NY 11747. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Forward-Looking Statements
In accordance with the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the parties provide the following cautionary remarks regarding important factors that, among others, could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, expectations and assumptions expressed or implied herein. These statements are identified by the use of such terms as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "anticipate" or other comparable terms. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the transaction, including future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to anticipated synergies and the expected timetable for completing the proposed transaction — are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made by us are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance and achievements or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For example, these forward-looking statements could be affected by factors including, without limitation, risks associated with the ability to consummate the transaction and the timing of the closing of the transaction; the ability to obtain requisite approvals; the ability to successfully integrate operations and employees; the ability to realize anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction; the potential impact of the announcement of the transaction or consummation of the transaction on relationships, including with employees, customers and competitors; the ability to retain key personnel; the ability to achieve performance targets; changes in financial markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; and those additional risks and factors discussed in the registration statement on Form S-1/S-4 to be filed with the SEC , including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the registration statement. We undertake no duty and have no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein.

About Henry Schein
Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is a solutions company for health care professionals powered by a network of people and technology. With more than 22,000 Team Schein Members serving more than 1 million customers globally, the Company is the world's largest provider of Business, Clinical, Technology, and Supply Chain solutions to enhance the efficiency of office-based dentalanimal health, and medical practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratoriesgovernment and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites.

A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the S&P 500® and the Nasdaq 100® indexes, Henry Schein's network of trusted advisors provides health care professionals with the valued solutions they need to improve operational success and clinical outcomes. The Company offers customers exclusive, innovative products and solutions, including practice management software, e-commerce solutions, specialty and surgical products, as well as a broad range of financial services. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 120,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 180,000 additional products available as special-order items.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 34 countries. The Company's sales reached a record $12.5 billion in 2017, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 15% since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.comFacebook.com/HenrySchein and @HenrySchein on Twitter.

About Vets First Choice
Vets First Choice is an innovator in technology-enabled services that empower veterinarians with insights that are designed to increase customer engagement and veterinary practice health. Vets First Choice’s platform, which is integrated with veterinary practice management software workflow, leverages insight and analytics, client engagement services and pharmacy services, to deliver improved medical compliance via proactive prescription management. By working directly with veterinary practices to manage gaps in care, Vets First Choice seeks to enable its veterinarian customers to create new revenue opportunities, adapt to changing pet owner purchasing behaviors, enhance their client relationships and improve quality of care and health outcomes. For more information, please visit www.vetsfirstchoice.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181220005954/en/

Contact

William Durling
Vice President of Corporate Communications
wdurling@vetsfirstchoice.com
603 769 7471

Nicholas Jansen
Vice President of Investor Relations
nicholas.jansen@vetsfirstchoice.com
407 761 8172

Ann Marie Gothard
Vice President, Corporate Media Relations
annmarie.gothard@henryschein.com
631-390-8169

Carolynne Borders
Vice President, Investor Relations
Carolynne.borders@henryschein.com
631 390-8105

Source : Vets First Choice and Henry Schein, Inc.